I Like You | Flutterby Designs

Hi everyone!

Today I am here to share a recent mixed media layout I created for Flutterby Designs featuring Flutter Colour Paints, a NEW Flutterby stencil and lots of bits and pieces from my Flutterby stash. (I love the fact I have been able to use up lots of bits and pieces lately!)

I started my page with my photo, which was taken at the Flutterby Designs 'Create by the Lake' retreat last year. (I actually can't believe I hadn't documented this one yet!) It features four members of the 2017 design team, along with our boss lady Neet, and was taken at the end of some paint throwing fun.

Inspired by the paint splattered board in the photo, I pulled out my Flutter Colour paints and painted an abstract background. The colours I used were Fire Engine Red; Yellow Zest; Orange Goldfish and Tropicana Teal. (I also used a tiny splash of a Dina Wakley navy paint.)

I then took the new 'Arty Farty' stencil; Staz On black ink and a sponge dauber and applied the words from the stencil around my page. (I used washi tape to mask off sections of the stencil as I moved it around.)

I also added a few torn strips of one of the 'Happily Ever After' filler cards.

Once my background was complete, I cut a piece from the 'Blanket Thief' 12x12" paper from the 'Happily Ever After' collection; and used it as a mat under my photo. I also cut some smaller strips of the same paper which I placed between some of the stencilled words on my page.

On the corner of my photo I stapled a tab from the 'Partners in Crime' page tabs sheet. I also added a white Tiny Sticky Quote; and behind the photo I tucked a cute little guinea pig sticker from the 'Furever Friends' Sticky Quote sheet. 

I figured this was a good chance to use up a few random bits from my stash, so I added the converse sneaker from the 'Xtreme Teen' Die Cut Bits & Bobs pack alongside my photo. My title, which I applied directly onto my photo, was cut from one of the 'Partners in Crime' Everyday Etc cards. (This is an awesome range for pages celebrating friendship.)

I took the opportunity to use some more stickers from the 'Furever Friends' Sticky Quote sheet, using the title and some of the word / quote stickers around my page. I also added some Bold Enamel Dots and Rainbow Heart stickers.

Alongside my photo on the left, I added a large ampersand cut from one of the 'Any Direction' Everyday Etc cards; a "rad" sticker from the 'Xtreme Teen' Sticky Quotes sheet; and the 'You Inspire Me' flair button (from set #417).

That's all from me today. If you haven't visited the Flutterby Designs store recently, head HERE to check out the newest goodies in store. There are new stencils and page kits that have been listed, so pop over and snap them up before they are all gone.

Until next time, happy scrapping! X

Vertical Adventure | ScrappingClearly Sept Mood Board

Hi everyone! Popping in today with a bit of an extra share - a layout I created for the ScrappingClearly September Mood Board. I really loved the colour palette of this board when I saw it, and just knew I had to create something for it.

Here's a look at the board...

It's not often I create something that isn't a design team project, so the freedom to do whatever I wanted (in keeping with the the theme of the board, of course) was lots of fun!

Here's what I came up with...

Besides the obvious inspiration I took from the colours featured in the board, there were a few other elements that sparked my interest. First and foremost, was the image of the paint coming out of the tube, which inspired my jumping off point for my background. I also drew inspiration from the triangular shape of the row of hanging tassels.

I started with a sheet of Bazzill Marshmallow cardstock and applied some 'Stormy Grey' Flutter Colour paint randomly using a wide brush to the top portion of my page. I then added some Colour Blast 'Soot' Colour Artist Ink along the top edge of the paint and spread it roughly using a brush, turning my page vertically and allowing it to run down in spots.

Once dry, I used Dina Wakley 'Lemon' acrylic paint and a Dusty Attic 'Squared' stencil to apply some yellow colour in a few spots over the top, and again dried it off. I then added another layer, this time for some texture, using Colour Blast 'Snow White' Colour Paste and my 'Rock Crystals' stencil from The Crafters Workshop.

Finally, I added some pale yellow acrylic paint to the bottom portion of my page using a brayer. I used Flutter Colour 'Arctic White' paint mixed with a drop of Colour Blast 'Citrus' Colour Artist Ink to get the colour I was after.

With all the background layers in place and dry, it was time to create a layered photo mat. I used a variety of materials - patterned papers from Studio Calico; a paper doily; and a paint sample card - all topped off with some frayed gauze. I also fussy cut some pieces of a triangular pattern from another Studio Calico paper, which I inked the edges of with black ink and tucked in behind the edges of my photo mat.

At this point I decided my page need some extra details so I used my 'Writing Triangles' stamp from Viva Las VegaStamps to add some triangles to my page, along with some small pieces of torn washi. I also added some extra texture using a few small pieces of plasterers tape. 

For my title I used a mix of pieces from Cocoa Vanilla Studio - epic clear sticker and adventure die cut, both from the 'Boys Rule' collection; and alphas from the 'Free Spirit' collection, and I added felt pen over the top.

To finish off I added a couple more 'Boys Rule' clear stickers, and a journal spot with my journalling. I also used some black wire to form a circular frame for my photo and stapled it over the top.

I had so much fun playing along with the ScrappingClearly mood board. If you would like to enter, you need to complete your project based on the board by the end of the month and load it to the ScrappingClearly Share & Inspire Group.

Until next time, happy scrapping! X

Say Yes to New Adventures | Colour Blast

Hi everyone!

I'm back with some art journal fun to share today! This time, a whimsical style double page spread I created in my altered book journal for Colour Blast using Colour Shimmer Cubes and Colour Paste.

Unfortunately, the Colour Shimmer Cubes are now a retired product (you may still find them available from selected retailers); but despite this fact, if they are in your stash they still need to be used! (If you don't have any cubes, you could still create a project like this using an alternative product, such as Colour Shimmer Dust, Colour Shimmer Spray or even Colour Artist Inks.)

Now, onto my process.

I began my spread by adding a coat of white heavy gesso to my pages using a brush. I chose to use a brush this time as I wasn't concerned about getting a thin, even coverage. If I was working on a scrapbook layout I would usually apply it with an old gift card, but I am less fussy in my journal, so a brush it was.

Whilst the gesso was drying, I chose the Colour Shimmer Cubes I wanted to use and gave the surface of each one a spray of water, then set them aside for a few minutes to moisten. I then grabbed a medium rounded brush and a cup of water and began applying my first colour - 'Sunshine', using a dabbing motion. As I applied the watercolour, I kept dipping my brush into the water to ensure that it was nice and wet going onto the page, allowing me to move the paint around.

After I had the Sunshine on the page, I then repeated the process with 'Singin' the Blues'; 'Envy' and finally, 'Lipstick'. (It is important to remember that the shimmer cubes, like all watercolour paints, will re-activate each time they are wet, so take care when applying one colour over another to ensure you don't make "mud".)

After I had all the colours dried, I decided that a couple of areas weren't quite as vibrant as I would have liked, so I added a little extra colour over the top before drying again.

The next step was to apply some stamping, so I reached for the new August release Colour Blast stamp set and used some of the stamps to add extra interest to my page.

After the stamping was complete, it was time for some texture and shine. The gorgeous golden 'Bling' Colour Paste fit the bill perfectly, and I used it with another of the August new release products -  a stencil. I used the dot section of the stencil along the top portion of my page, applying the paste using a palette knife, and then wiping off the excess paste randomly along the bottom edge of my pages.

I then added the focal points of my spread - some digital collage elements sourced from Mischief Circus that I had printed out and fussy cut. I used a liquid adhesive to adhere them to the page.

At this point my collage pieces were looking a little flat on the page and were in need of something to give them some depth and to help them pop. The answer? My trusty Stabilo All pencil. I added a rough outline around each of the pieces and then used a water brush to blend the lines out. (These pencils are water soluble.) I also used the pencil to add some outlines to the stamped stars, some small crosses, and a few random scribbles. (I left these lines untouched though.)

Now my all my spread needed was some text. Enter yet another new August release Colour Blast stencil - this one with a fabulous quote. I used a permanent ink and a sponge dauber to apply the ink through the stencil. (Confession time - I actually changed my mind after I took this photo and began sponging the title, and switched to black ink.)

To finish off, I used a fine white paint pen to add some detail to the inked letters.

Let's take a closer look at the details...

Adding the shadows around the outlines of the collage pieces makes a big difference in helping to bring them to the foreground.

Close up you can see the different layers and how they all work together to give depth to the page.

Wiping off the excess Colour Paste from the palette knife roughly onto the page gives a great textured result. And look at that pretty shine too! 

And who doesn't love a bit of bling, right?

Thanks for stopping by today so I could share this with you. If you have some Colour Shimmer Cubes in your stash I hope I have inspired you to get them out and use them. If not, why not try creating a similar style project with an alternative Colour Blast product?

I will be back again soon with another project to share. Until then, happy scrapping! X 

Fun Times | Scrap the Girls September Challenge

Hi everyone!

Just popping in today to share my take on the September challenge at Scrap the Girls. This month we have a sketch challenge called "Grunge Princess", which was designed by me! And our sponsor is the fabulous Colour Blast, so of course I had to make sure I used some Colour Blast products on my page.

Here's a look at my sketch first...

And here is the layout I created...

I wanted to document these selfies I took of Scrap the Girls owner Krisy and I when we were away on a scrappy weekend with a group of friends earlier this year. (I think we both hit the grunge princess brief perfectly! hehe) And just to mix things up, I decided to use the recently released 'Boys Rule' collection from Cocoa Vanilla Studio - because it's not just for boys!

I started with the awesome 'Expressionist' paper as my base; then added some Colour Blast 'Marine' Colour Artist Ink using a small brush to my focal area, whilst holding my page vertically to allow it to run down. I then used some of my favourite stamps from Viva Las VegaStamps to further define my focal area and give me a base to work from. Instead of using the stars as shown in the sketch, I substituted the awesome Bullet Hole stamp - so cool! I also added some torn pieces of washi tape before I began adding my paper and texture layers.

For all my layers behind my photo strip I used a mix of the following: patterned paper, die cut pieces and stickers from the 'Boys Rule' collection by Cocoa Vanilla Studio; tissue paper and some frayed gauze. I also added some bakers twine to the die cut tag I used.

 All my layers were secured with staples before I added my photo strip on top. Alongside my photo I added the thumbs up chipboard piece (also from the 'Boys Rule' collection).

Next, I added a couple of the coordinating clear stickers to the bottom left corner of my page, just like the "details" section on the sketch; and a few small phrase stickers from the accessory sticker sheet.

To finish off, I stamped the words "high five" around my page randomly and added some splatters of mist.

Thanks for stopping by today so I could share this with you. I hope you are inspired to try your own take on my sketch and enter this month's challenge. (And possibly win yourself some Colour Blast goodness too!) All the details, as well as the other inspiring layouts from the STG design team can be found HERE.

Until next time, happy scrapping! X

Dragon Dreamer | Viva Las VegaStamps

Hi everyone!

Popping in today with my latest design team project created for Viva Las VegaStamps for you. Today I am sharing a page I created my altered book art journal using the Aagar the Emotional (dragon) stamp as a focal point. I have been dying to use this stamp and I figured what better way than to give it an entire page in my journal.

I started my page by giving it a coat of gesso to prime the paper before using some Faber-Castell Gelatos to add colour. I simply scribbled randomly around the page before using a baby wipe to blend the lines out.

Next, I turned my attention to my Aagar the Emotional focal image, which I stamped onto smooth white cardstock before colouring with Faber-Castell watercolour pencils. I then used a water brush to blend the pencil lines out before cutting the image out. Once I had cut around the image, I used the same Gelatos as I had used for the background to colour the small amount of white space around the edges.

Once I had my dragon complete, I followed the same process with the Doodle Frame stamp, and set the pieces aside so I could add them to my page. I also stamped out some hearts with the Scribble Heart stamp, which I also coloured and cut out. 

Next, I turned my attention back to my page. I used the Ethos Shape stamp repeatedly around the page with black ink to add interest to the background before sticking down all the pieces I had prepared.

I used the She Was a Dreamer stamp to add the quote to my page; then Doodle Dots stamp with green ink to add some subtle detail and a Stabilo All pencil to finish off with a bit of shadowing and scribble.

Here's a closer look at the finished page...

Thanks for stopping by so I could share this with you. I hope I have inspired you to get inky too!
Until next time, happy scrapping! X

You're Pretty Rad | Cocoa Vanilla Studio

Hi everyone!
Popping in today to share a layout I created for Cocoa Vanilla Studio for the recent "Black + white + one" colour theme that the design team were challenged with. For my page, I decided to document a photo of my nephew and my boys when we were out celebrating my nephew's birthday. And what better collection to use than the recently released 'Boys Rule' collection. 

For my layout, I chose blue as my single colour choice, combining it with black and white (and also some grey) to compliment my black and white photo. I also decided to go with a simple strip design for my page base, pulling out pieces from the collection that I thought would work. 

I then started cutting the papers in different lengths and widths and layering them down my page. It also gave me a chance to use my poor, neglected distress tool! The papers I used were Boy Stuff; Messed Up; Fun & Games; Expressionist; and Straight & Narrow. 

Once I had the bones of the page down, I went back and started adding some extra pieces over the top. I used a few pieces from the cut apart Boy Stuff paper, including the branding strip! I also added a few tiny staples in places for an extra masculine touch.

With all the paper pieces in place, it was time to add some of the extra fun stuff! I added the hey! you're pretty rad speech bubble from the Chipboard Pieces for my title; as well as the skull & crossbones and crown for my nephew's head from the same pack. 

To balance out the black from the chipboard, I added the black arrow from the Die Cut Ephemera pack, which I popped up on some foam tape to give it dimension. 

Also from the ephemera pack, I added the grey scalloped border and the blue star; and then the boys sticker from the Accessory Sticker sheet. Then from the sticker sheet, I added a few small star stickers, and the small 100% boy banner.

Below my photo, I added the awesome die cut from the Miscellany pack, which I mounted up on some foam tape so that it popped off the page a bit.

Next, I reached for the Clear Sticker pack, choosing a blue brush stroke; three black crosses; and then a small star for my journal tag before adding my handwritten journalling with a felt pen and stamping the date. 

To finish my page off, I added some random splatters of Colour Blast 'Soot' Colour Artist Ink and I was done.

Thanks so much for stopping by today. I hope I have inspired you to try your own "black + white + one" colour combination or even try a strip design for your next page.

Don't forget if you haven't already gotten your hands on the 'Boys Rule' collection, you can find it in the Cocoa Vanilla Studio store HERE

Until next time, happy scrapping! X

Stash-busting Traveler's Notebook Pages | Flutterby Designs

Hi everyone!

After being away on retreat last weekend and then playing catch up all week at home since my return, it's time to do some catching up here. Today I am sharing some recent design team work I created for Flutterby Designs.
To switch it up and keep things interesting for myself, I have recently begun working in a traveler's notebook. People use TN's in all sorts of ways, but I have stuck with the memory keeping format just like I use my scrapbook layouts for. I have found the smaller size great for a change, and perfect for documenting some of the photos from my phone that I wouldn't necessarily create a large layout for. It has also given me the chance to use up a lot of bits and pieces from my stash.

For my "Let's Pug It Out" page that I created to feature some silly photos of my daughter trying on animal masks in Kmart; I took the opportunity to use up an Everyday Etc card from the 'Furever Friends' collection for my title and the pug picture. 

Other items on this page included 'Mad About You' Sticky Quotes; Photo Cut Out tabs; Blackboard Sticky Alphas; Rainbow Heart Stickers; and a Snippet Strip.

I also used some washi tape and a Colour Blast Colour Shimmer Cube from my stash.

For my "Box Head Fun" double page spread documenting a workshop my kids attended during the holidays; I used some 12x12" paper from the 'Happily Ever After' collection for the quote and also to fill space on my pages, but any Flutterby Everyday Etc Cards, would also be perfect for this purpose.

Again, I used a random assortment of items across these pages including left over stickers from the 'Xtreme Teen' and 'Good Vibes Only' Sticky Quotes sheets; Teal Sticky Alphas; and another Photo Cut Out tab. Again, I added some watercolour paint using a Colour Blast Colour Shimmer Cube.

For my "Netflix" themed page, I used one of the 'Good Vibes Only' Everyday Etc cards to create my title; and the watercolour feature underneath my journalling came from one of the coordinating filler cards. I also used the large icecream from the 'Good Vibes Only' Die Cut Bits & Bobs pack. 

I finished off with an assortment of items - 'Happily Ever After' Sticky Quotes; die cut from the 'Mad About You' collection; and Rainbow Heart Stickers.

I also used washi tape from my stash and another Colour Shimmer Cube.

If you haven't tried working in a traveler's notebook yet, why not give it a go? It's often good for your creativity to change things up a bit, and this is a fabulous way to use up some of those left-overs in your stash. (To make way for new ones, of course!) 

Until next time, happy scrapping! X